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Kogi: EFCC witness links Gov Ododo’s CoS Ali Bello with N10.27b fraud
The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Ahmed Usman Ododo, continued on Monday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness linking several fund transfers to the first defendant.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Dauda Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering involving N10,270,556,800.00.
The 17th prosecution witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, told the court that Exhibit F—a document recovered during investigation—detailed inflows and outflows of funds allegedly connected to the defendants.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness identified a $91,000 outflow dated February 5, 2021, which he said was paid to “Oga Ali,” referring to Ali Bello.
“The $91,000.00 paid on February 5, 2021, was to ‘Oga Ali,’ which is the first defendant,” the witness told the court.
He also identified a February 6, 2021 entry of N150,000 released to “Presido.”
Explaining further entries, the witness said “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who allegedly transported N150 million in cash from Lokoja to a Bureau de Change operator.
On transactions dated February 19, 2021, the witness pointed to an endorsement of N10 million paid to Ali Bello and N500,000 to Dauda Sulaiman.
“Alhaji Ali’ refers to the first defendant, while ‘Daud’ refers to the second defendant,” he stated.
Testifying on investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness said transfers of N80 million and N20 million were made for Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
According to him, the N100 million total payment was reflected in Exhibit F.
“There were 10 entries of N10 million each, making a total of N100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact with the Bureau de Change operator,” he said.
The prosecution subsequently tendered the irrevocable power of attorney for the property, which was admitted and marked as Exhibit Q.
The prosecution’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants—dated November 29 and 30; December 1, 10, 11 and 12, 2022 (for the first defendant), and November 30 and December 1, 2022 (for the second defendant)—was opposed by defence counsel.
The defence argued that the statements did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly regarding the voluntariness and audio-visual recording of the statements.
After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho ordered the immediate commencement of a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements.
During the sub-trial, PW17 maintained that the statements were voluntarily made.
“In EFCC, we have a standard. No threats, no promises, and statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being the most present,” he said.
Following the proceedings, the statements were admitted in evidence after no further objections were raised by defence counsel.
Justice Omotosho subsequently discharged the witness after cross-examination and adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026 for continuation of the trial.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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